Alan Haberman dies

Alan Haberman, the man responsible for the adoption of the Barcode, died on the 12th of June this year at the age of 81.

Mr. Haberman led the industry committee that chose the barcode over other contenders (circles, bull’s-eyes and seemingly random agglomerations of dots) in 1973.

By all accounts, he spent years afterward cajoling manufacturers, retailers and the public to accept the strange new symbol, which resembles a highly if irregularly compacted zebra. His efforts helped cement the marriage between the age-old practice of commerce and the new world of information technology.

Thank you Mr. Haberman for fighting on the barcodes behalf and for laying the foundation on which EVERYTHING can now be barcoded and all processes everywhere can be automated – we will miss you big gunner!